Don't risk your safety, job and relationship through festive drinking, say Wiltshire Police ahead of its Christmas Drink and Drug Driving Campaign launch on Sunday.

Police will be stepping up roadside enforcement in Wiltshire throughout December and into the New Year, in a determined effort to catch those who ignore the warnings and put other people and their own lives in danger.

Drivers are to be educated about the dangers of drinking and taking drugs before getting behind the wheel through the Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership campaign.

All Wiltshire officers will take part but, specifically, members of the Roads Policing Unit will be conducting high profile roadside checks. 

The campaign raises awareness about the consequences of being caught drink or drug-driving which can include a 12-month driving ban, a large fine, a criminal record, and the serious implications for insurance premiums, once the offender can drive again.

It can also have a huge impact on personal lifestyle with people losing their jobs and suffering relationship breakdowns, say police.

Insp Steve Cox, head of roads policing, said: “We are putting a great deal of time and effort into the campaign, with the intention of showing the public that drink and drug driving is completely anti-social, and a grave danger to other road users.

"We want people to enjoy the festive period but to be mindful of how they intend to return home when out and about.

“By stepping up enforcement over the festive period, and with involvement and support from the public, our aim is to reduce the number of people who consider getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

"This can only result in a positive outcome regarding road safety within the county.

"I also want to remind drivers that the effects of a night out may still affect you the following morning - every year officers arrest people the morning after the night before celebrations.

"The message from us is perfectly clear. If you take a chance on drink or drug driving, you will be caught.”

To help tackle drug-impaired driving, Roads Policing Officers in Wiltshire have been trained in Field Impairment Testing (FIT) techniques.

Insp Cox said: “Whilst the Police have always had, and retain, a power to arrest drivers whom they suspect may be unfit to drive through drink or drugs, the FIT tests help us to better determine at the roadside whether or not the driver may be under the influence of drugs.”

Angus Macpherson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “I am fully supportive of this campaign, which raises awareness of the serious consequences of drink and drug driving and enforcement action being taken by the police.

“I would encourage people to use the drink drive hotline to report those suspected as being over the limit while behind the wheel.

"The hotline provides a way for people to alert the police to help keep our roads and communities safe.”

Police officers will be joining forces with partnership agencies on a road show of the county to highlight the dangers of drug/drink-driving.

As part of the road show, a drink drive simulator will be available to allow members of the public the opportunity to see how alcohol affects their ability to drive.

The Drink Drive Campaign road-show will be at Tesco, Trowbridge, on Saturday, December 14, from 10am to 2pm with representatives from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service and Wiltshire Council.

Anyone who wants to report an incident of drink/drug driving should call Wiltshire Police on 101 and select option 4 for the Drink Drive Hotline.

In an emergency, dial 999.